Gov. Tommy Thompson announced Sunday that Illinois-based Packaging Corporation of America agreed to sell the state the undeveloped land in Iron, Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas counties for conservation efforts.

It would be the largest land acquisition in Wisconsin history.

The purchase was approved by the state Department of Natural Resources board at its meeting in Hayward.

The agreement now goes before the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee, which has 14 working days to object to releasing the money from the state's Stewardship Fund for the land purchase.

The purchase will be complete if the committee does not object.

"We think there is widespread support for the purchase," Thompson spokesman Kevin Keane said. "We certainly hope (lawmakers) will endorse it so we can move ahead with the land purchase."

Several portions of the 50-square mile purchase would connect tracts of land from previous state acquisitions, including the Turtle-Flambeau and Willow Flowage scenic waters areas.  The state also plans to use some of the land to create more than 4,200 acres in new natural areas.

The governor financed $12 million of the purchase price through the Wisconsin Stewardship Fund, designated for land acquisition for conservation efforts.  The state is looking to the Legislature to provide the remaining $13 million for the Stewardship Fund in the pending 1999-2001 state budget.

Sen. Brian Burke, a Milwaukee Democrat and a co-chairman of the Joint Finance Committee, said he supported the land purchase and said he expected the committee to endorse the plan.

"My expectation is that we'll have a hearing, whether or not any member of the committee is opposed to the project," Burke said.

The transaction, if approved, is expected to close November 15.